GOP Rep.: Dem bill scarier than terrorists

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- A Republican member of Congress said Monday Americans "have more to fear" from Democratic healthcare reform than from terrorists.

Rep. Virginia Foxx said people in her North Carolina district are afraid of the Democrats' healthcare reform proposal, which could be brought to the full House for debate as soon as this week, CNN reported.

"I share that fear, and I believe they should be fearful," Foxx said, "And I believe the greatest fear that we all should have to our freedom comes from this room -- this very room -- and what may happen later this week in terms of a tax increase bill masquerading as a healthcare bill.

"I believe we have more to fear from the potential of that bill passing than we do from any terrorist right now in any country."

The Democratic National Committee issued a statement calling Foxx's comments "outrageous."

"Sadly, these inexplicable comments represent what is now the mainstream of a Republican Party that has been hijacked by an extremist far right-wing faction that craves ideological purity, will purge dissent, and offer nothing but reactionary opposition to progress," the statement said.

A spokesman for Foxx told CNN she had been speaking "off the cuff."

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio said "members are entitled to their opinions" and then shrugged when pressed further, CNN said.